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Maine shooting survivor Chad Hopkins was bowling with slain friend & relives ‘nightmare every time he closes his eyes’
The witness' close friend Tricia Asselin, 53, was gunned down in the bowling alley as she tried to call 911
A MAINE mass shooting survivor who lost a close friend during the massacre on Wednesday night has spoken out about how he relives the nightmare every time he closes his eyes.
Chad Hopkins was bowling at Sparetime Recreation in Lewiston, Maine, when he heard gunfire ring out shortly before 7pm.
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"It caught us all by surprise," he told The U.S. Sun.
It was the beginning of an hours-long ordeal that left at least 18 people dead at several scenes in the city, which is located about 35 miles south of Portland.
Much of Lewiston and the surrounding area remains in lockdown as police continue their search for suspected murderer Robert Card, 40, a firearms instructor with documented mental health issues.
Hopkins' bowling league was in the middle of a competition when the bloodshed began.
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"We were about four frames in before the shooting started," he said.
"I turned to the rest of the bowling league and I screamed to get out."
Hopkins, whose mother was with him, recalled hundreds of bowlers attempting to escape through a single exit.
"There was a mad rush," he said.
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But not everybody was able to get out in time.
Hopkins' friend Tricia Asselin, 53, was gunned down as she tried to call 911.
"She is like a sister," Hopkins said of the part-time bowling alley employee who also worked at the golf course he owns.
"Last night she was bowling, not working. But she's still running around doing things for people, helping the front desk.
"All she does is help others."
Hopkins also recalled her enthusiasm about fundraising for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
Once he got outside, Hopkins managed to call 911.
SIGHTING OF 'KILLER'
It was around that time that he may have seen Card leave the scene in his Subaru SUV.
"Eventually, the killer took his white car and drove by us," Hopkins said.
"At the time we didn't know it was him."
Around 8pm, there was another shooting at Schemengees Bar and Grille, which is a short drive away.
Dozens of victims flooded nearby hospitals, including the Central Maine Medical Center.
Hopkins said he's been struggling to sleep in the wake of the shooting.
"When you close your eyes to rest, you hope you don't get triggered into having a dream or a or a nightmare," he said.
RELIVING THE HORRIFIC BLOODSHED
"I haven't been able to close my eyes yet without reliving that scenario over and over.
"It's taking [over] my entire thought process."
Hopkins said he will likely never be the same after witnessing the horrific rampage.
"This is a life changer," he said.
Earlier on Thursday, it was claimed the suspected gunman may have been looking for his ex before he went on the rampage.
Card is believed to have left a suicide note inside his home, ABC reported, citing sources. It was addressed to his son but didn't give a motive for the shooting.
The most recent development in the search came on Thursday night, when cops surrounded a home in Bowdoin owned by Card's family.
FBI agents and other law enforcement officials shouted: "Robert Card, you’re under arrest. We know you’re inside, come out with your hands up, we don’t want anyone to get hurt.”
However, Maine State Police later clarified that it was unclear if Card was in the house and that the announcements were standard procedure when executing a warrant.
A convoy of vehicles was spotted leaving the home just before 9 pm on Thursday, though a police presence was still observed.
'KNOWS THE TERRAIN'
Richard Goddard lives on the street that cops swarmed in their search for Card and knows the suspect and his family.
“This is is his stomping ground. He grew up here,” he told The Associated Press.
“He knows every ledge to hide behind, every thicket.”
Maine's Governor Janet Mills vowed to provide whatever resources are needed to find Card.
She promised to “hold whoever is responsible for this atrocity accountable … and to seek full justice for the victims and their families.”
"I need him to be found," Hopkins said.
"I'll keep to myself what I envision happening to him after... but I need him to be found so that the community can start their healing process.
"While he's out there, people are not healing.
"We're still going through it... This is not finished."
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Authorities have said that Card is armed and dangerous.
Anyone who sees or encounters the suspect is asked to call the police.
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